On March 1 451 years ago, Estácio de Sá founded the city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro in the area located between Sugarloaf Mountain and the Cara de Cão mountain, in the district that is today known as Urca. The city of Rio de Janeiro has a rich and colourful history.

Guanabara Bay (16th Century)

The seat of power of the Portuguese Colonial Empire in the early 19th century and later the capital of the Brazilian Republic [until 1960], Rio has been a witness and key player in many chapters of the nation’s story.

You may also be interested in an article commemorating the foundation of Rio de Janeiro last year: Rio de Janeiro turns 450. Also on March 1, 2015, the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) which celebrates science, technology and the future opened In Rio’s Zona Portuária (Port Zone). Find out more at The Rio Times. Be sure to check out this photo gallery.

The bustling city of Rio de Janeiro has been one of Brazil’s most popular and frequented tourist destinations for decades. Its vibrant city centre is bursting with culture and pulsating with a deep sense of history and heritage, according to Brazil Tourism. A complete tourist guide on the city can be found at Visit Brazil.